This perennial succulent has a rosette of leathery foliage and forms a clump. It has erect blue green fleshy broad lanced-shaped leaves with spiny margins and the small yellow cup-shaped flowers appear in dense clusters above the foliage in summer.

Hardiness zones 8 to 10

Agave flexispina is naturally found in North America growing on the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range from southern Chihuahua to the south highland Durango at an elevation from 1,300m to 2,300m (4,265 ft to 7,545 ft). 

It appears in grasslands and oak woodlands and grows in well drained moderately fertile stony soil and is pH adaptable. It prefers an open to exposed sunny position but will tolerate some shade and is wind, drought and slightly frost tolerant.

This Agave is grown for its foliage and its spreading habit. It is planted in small or arid gardens as a specimen or in group plantings along low borders. It is also grown in rockeries or on rocky embankments and planted in patio pots and planter boxes. It is suitable for coastal and low-mountain regions establishing in 2-3 years and is moderately long lived. This succulent can be grown on roof gardens but care should be taken when handling as it has sharp thorns. Under ideal conditions it can multiply quickly and may be regarded as a weed. ID 3723

Agave (a-GAH-vee ) flexispina (fleks-ih-SPY-nuh)

Agavaceae (ah-gav-AY-see-ee)